Method and machine for forming edge reinforcing member on a cover of a container



Dec. 30,1969 J, T, BELL: L 3,486,422

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOPS BY M/MM v Q59: v ATTORNEY Dec. 30. 1969 j 1 L ETAL 3,486,422

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 30. 1969 J. T. BI'ELL' ETAL 3,486,422

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 1968 Y J. T. BELL ET AL METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER Dec. 30. 1969 3 ,486,422

ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 30. 1969 J. T. BELL ETAL 3,486,422

METHOD'AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dgc. 30. 1969 J. T. BELL ETAL 3,486,422

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORC ING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent Oflice 3,486,422 Patented Dec. 30, 1969 3,486,422 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING EDGE REINFORCING MEMBER ON A COVER OF A CONTAINER John T. Bell, Lombard, and Theodore D. Jaeger, Rockford, 111., assignors to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 721,435 Int. Cl. B3lh 1/26 U.S. C]. 9349 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for forming an edge reinforcing member at a free edge of a hinged container cover, the cover being formed of foldable paperboard and having a main portion and an extended portion located between the main portion and the outer edge of the cover, the extended portion including an inner section, a central section and an outer section separated from each other and from the main portion of the cover by score lines paralleling the hinge line of the cover, the machine having conveying means for moving the container along a path, guide means located adjacent the path for positioning the extended portion of the cover, means for folding the extended portion of the cover upwardly and applying adhesive to a marginal area of the main portion of the cover located inwardly adjacent the extended portion, means for folding the sections so that the inner section and the central section are formed into a substantially inverted V configuration and for securing the horizontally positioned outer section to the marginal area of the main portion of the cover.

The method of forming an edge reinforcing member on the above hinged container cover includes the steps of positioning the container with the cover folded outwardly, folding the extended portion upwardly and applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion of the cover, and folding the sections in such a way that the inner section and the central section form opposite legs of an inverted V while the outer section is positioned horizontally overlying the marginal area to which it is to be attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a method and a machine for forming containers out of foldable paperboard or the like, and, more particularly, to a method and a machine for forming an edge reinforcing member at the free edge of a hinged container cover.

The prior art The edge reinforcing members on container covers, of the type illustrated in the United States Patent to George W. Boh, No. 2,167,741, have been formed heretofore by stapling or glueing the parts by hand operation to the underside of the container cover. This has been a relatively slow process and difficulties have been encountered due to inaccuracies occurring in the assembly and joining of the parts. Various mechanisms have been employed for holding the container in a stationery position while mechanical pressure is applied to previously glued reinforcement forming parts to bring the parts into a desired relationship with one another and to retain them together during the setting of the glue. Other methods and machines have been utilized in the formation of edge reinforcing members, but such machines proved to be inapplicable to high speed mass production due to inaccuracies in the formation of the member, jamming of the machine, and the relatively slow production rate thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides a method and a machine for proper formation of an edge reinforcing member on the free edge of a hinged container cover. Generally, the machine of the present invention includes conveying means for carrying a container in an upright position with the top cover panels extended laterally outward of the container. The top cover panels have a main portion and an extended portion separated by a score line. The extended portion is further divided into three sections separated from one another by score lines. As the container is placed on the machine and guided therethrough by the applicable guiding means, a bar is moved into contact with the cover to pre-break the middle score line in the extended portion of the cover. Simultaneously with this operation, a folding member engages the extended portion of the cover, moving the same upwardly and folding the central section over the inner section so that the outer section is positioned substantially normal to the main portion of the cover. Subsequently, adhesive applicators apply adhesive to a marginal area of the main portion of the cover located inwardly adjacent the extended portion. As the container is conveyed further and stopped, a number of folding fingers engage the sections of the extended portion in such a way that the inner and central sections are partially formed into a substantially inverted V configuration. A descending compression element co-acts with the folding fingers and a backup plate to form the reinforcing member and to compressively secure the outer section of the extended portion of the cover to the marginal area of the main portion of the cover.

DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container having outwardly opened top cover panels resting on guide members;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a container undergoing the score pro-breaking operation;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a container illustrating the upward folding of the extended portion of the cover;

FIGURE 4 is a perspectivie view of the container showing application of adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion of the cover;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the container showing partial formation of the edge reinforcing member by folding fingers;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the container showing compresison step in the formation of the edge reinforcing member;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed view of the mechanism used to accomplish the operations illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed view of the adhesive applicators;

FIGURE 9 is a detailed view of the mechanism used to accomplish the operations illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a completed container utilizing the method and machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of the machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a front elevational view of the machine of the present invention; and

FIGURE 14 is a rear elevational view of the machine of the present invention.

SPECIFICATION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many difi'erent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, an embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, more specifically to FIGURES 1 through 6, there is shown a container, generally designated 10, formed from foldable paperboard, fibreboard, or the like. The container has a pair of opposing side walls 12, a pair of opposing end walls 14, and a bottom 16. The side walls, the end walls and the bottom are interconnected to form a receptacle. The end walls 14 are provided with hand grip openings 18, both of the openings being shown in FIGURE 10. One of a pair of identical top cover panels 20 is hinged to the upper edge of the respective side wall 12. Upon entering the machine of the present invention, the cover panels are supported on guide bars 22 and slightly elevated from their horizontal position. Since each of the cover panels is identical in construction, a description of only one such panel will be made herein.

The panel 20 has a main portion 24 and an extended portion 26. The extended portion is formed with an outer section 28, a central section 30 and an inner section 32 being separated from one another by score lines 34 and 36, respectively. A score line 38 separates the inner section 32 from the main portion 24 of the cover panel 20. The score lines 34, 36 and 38 are positioned in a parallel relationship to the hinge line hinging the cover panel 20 to upper edge of the side wall 12.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, descending, substantially L-shaped bar elements 40 engage the main portions 24 of the cover panels 20 for pre-breaking of the score lines. Horizontal portion of the bar element 40 substantially overlies the inner section 32 with the free edge of that portion of the bar element being positioned over the score line 36.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, simultaneously with the engagement of the bar elements 40 with the cover, folding members 42 engage the extended portions 26 and fold the same by positioning the outer section 28 parallel to and in contacting relationship with the vertical wall of the bar element 40. Once the score lines 34 and 36 are pre-broken and the edge reinforcing member is partially folded by the folding members 42, adhesive 44 is applied by adhesive applicators 46 to the marginal area of the main cover portion 24 adjacent the score line 38. The application of adhesive is best seen in FIGURE 4.

FIGURES and 6 illustrate the final step in the method of forming the edge reinforcing member. Folding fingers 48 engage the sections 28, 30 and 32 positioning them against the vertical back-up plate 49 for subsequent forming whereby sections 30 and 32 are to comprise a substantially inverted V configuration while section 28 is to be located in an overlying relationship with the marginal area of the main portion 24 of the cover panel 20 having adhesive 44 applied thereto. A compression unit 50, having openings 52 therein for receiving the folding fingers 48, engages the positioned sections 28, 30 and 32, and, by application of pressure, secures section 28 to the marginal area of the main portion 24 of the cover panel 20 and finally forms the remaining sections 30 and 32 into an inverted V configuration. An opening 54 extends longitudinally of the compression unit 50 to receive the V-shaped configuration.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 through 9, there is shown the detailed equipment necessary to perform the operations heretofore described. FIGURE 7 illustrates the guide bars 22, and one of the folding members 42 mounted on a shaft 56 operably connected to a mechanism which actuates the score line pre-breaking bar element 40. The bar element 40 is shown supported by a mounting member 58 connected to the above actuating mechanism which produces vertical motion of the element 40, as later described. The adhesive applicators 46 are shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the relationship between the folding fingers 48 and the compression unit 50. The lateral openings 52 in the compression unit 50 receive the fingers 48 permitting the same to extend therethrough and engage the sections of the extended portion of the cover panel to be formed into the edge reinforcing member. The longitudinal opening 54 receives the sections comprising the inverted V configuration. The folding fingers 48 are mounted on a shaft 60 and receive their rotary motion, oriented toward the openings 52 in the compression unit '50, through the connecting rod 62 which, in turn, is secured to the folding fingers actuating mechanism (de scribed later). The compression unit 50 is operatively secured to a ram 64 and receives its vertical movement therefrom.

It is to be understood that, since the edge reinforcing member is formed on each cover panel, identical equipment is used in the formation of each member even though, for purposes of clarity, equipment necessary to form only one member may be shown and described herein.

FIGURE 10 shows a container having a completed edge reinforcing member formed from sections 28, 30 and 32 in the heretofore described manner utilizing the method and machine of the present invention. The completed container 10 is shown positioned on a conveyor C, the conveyor forming no part of this invention.

The machine of the present invention is shown in FIG- URES 11 through 14 and comprises a frame 66 supported on a plurality of legs 68. Drive means, such as an electric motor 70, is mounted in the lower section of the frame 66. The motor 70 has its output shaft 72 coupled to a shaft 74 of a right angle drive unit 76 by a coupling 77. The

machine is driven by the motor 70 through the right angle drive unit 76 which, essentially, is a gear box. Extending from the opposite end of the unit 76, as best seen in FIGURE 13, there is a main drive shaft 78 having three actuating cams 80, 82 and 84 mounted thereon by conventional mounting means. Limit switch control 86, controlling the ram 64, is directly connected to the main drive shaft 78 by conventional couplings, or the like.

A container stop member is secured at one end of a pivoting arm 92, while the opposite end of the arm is operatively connected to the drive shaft 78 by the actuating cam 80. The container stop member 90 and the heretofore described bar element 40 and folding member 42 are controlled in their operation by cams 82 and 84, respectively. The purpose of the stop member 90 is to be described later. The pivoting arm 92 of the container stop member 90 is mounted on a shaft 94 and, together with the shaft 94, comprises stop member actuating mechanism 96 operatively connected to the cam 80.

As best seen in FIGURE 12, the mounting member 58 of the score line pro-breaking bar element 40 is connected to a vertical rod 98 which, at its lower end, is connected to a pivoting arm 100 by a connecting link 102. The arm 100 is connected to a shaft 104 which, in turn, is connected to the cam 82 so that there exists an operative relationship between the bar element 40 and the cam 82.

As best seen in FIGURES 12 and 13, the folding member 42 is operated through a crank mechanism 108 which is operatively connected to a connecting rod 110, the opposite end of that rod being secured to a member 112 which, through a shaft 106, is operatively engaged by cam 84. Thus it can be seen, that the cams 80, 82 and 84 control and operate the container stop member 90, the bar element 40 and the folding member 42.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, the machine is provided with a pair of guide rods 114 which guidably receive the container when the same enters the machine. As viewed in FIGURE 11, positioned outwardly from the guide rod 114 there is a pair of flight chains 116 is positioned between sprockets 118 and carries a plurality of substantially rectangular feed lugs 120 mounted thereon. The flight chain 116 is endless in its nature and is controllably started and stopped by the operation of the index drive 122, best seen in FIGURE 14. The drive 122 provides for a proper indexing movement of the flight chain 116. Referring further to FIGURE 14, it can be seen that the index drive 122 is operatively connected to a drive mechanism 124 by interconnecting chain 126, while the drive mechanism 124 is further connected to the flight chain 116 by another set of drive chains 128 engaging the sprockets 118 which are supporting the flight chain 116. Thedrive shaft 78 is driven by chain 117 (FIGURE 12) from drive shaft 79. The shaft 79, in turn, drives cam 85 and index drive 122.

As best seen in FIGURE 12, dual adhesive applicators 46 are utilized in the application of adhesive to the container 10 while the same is being carried in the machine, the applicators being secured to the upper portion of the machine frame 66 by upstanding bars 130. The reasons for utilizing a dual adhesive application will be described in detail later. Referring again to FIGURE 11, it can be observed that each of the bars 130 for mounting adhesive applicators 46, are secured to the frame of the machine by cross-members 132 extending laterally of the machine.

As best seen in FIGURES 12 and 14, the connecting rod 62 having its upper end connected to the folding fingers 48 for inducing a pivoting motion to the fingers, is secured to an arm 134 which, in turn, is operatively connected to the drive cam 85 for actuating the folding fingers 48.

The compression unit 50, operated in a vertical direction by a ram cylinder 64, is positioned above the frame 66 of the machine in a housing 136 secured to the top of the machine by cross-members 138 extending laterally of the machine.

As best seen in FIGURE 11, the machine is provided with parallel supporting and mounting bars 142 extending longitudinally of the machine in proximitv to the guide rods 114. Limit switches, or the like, can be mounted on the supporting bars 142 which support the container in the vertical direction as it moves through the machine.

To insure proper positioning of the container within the machine, guides 143 are provided in the machine, mounted in a housing 144 by a mounting stud 146, or the like. The guide 143 are in contacting relationship with the hinge line hinging the top cover panels 20 to the side walls 12 of the container 10.

The method of forming edge reinforcing members can be best understood from the following description relating to the operation of the machine. The container 10 is received at the right end of the machine (as viewed in FIGURES 11 and 12) and is driven by line pressure against the container stop member 90. At this point the machine cycle is activated by a limit switch 148 which places the flight chain 116 in motion. The feed lugs 120 pick up the container and carry it through the machine fof further operations. Prior to the pick up by lugs 120, the score line pre-breaking operation takes place as hereinafter described.

The downward movement of the pre-breaker bar element 40 forces the score line 36 to pre-break 90 by driving it against the guide bar 22. The folding member 42 becomes actuated and pivots upwardly, pre-breaking the score line 36 an additional 90 as well as pre-breaking score line 34 by 90, as shown in FIGURE 3. As stated heretofore, the container stop member 90, the bar element 40 and the folding member 42 are all operated off the cams 80, 82 and 84 which, in turn, operate in conjunction with the flight chain 116.

. Once the pre-breaking of the score lines has been completed, the folding member 42 pivots back, the bar element 40 rises and the feed lugs 120 pick up the container 10 and carry it forward underneath the adhesive applicators 46. As recited before, a dual adhesive application system is utilized. The dual system provides a first, hot melt, adhesive for instant bond and a second, cold, adhesive for good penetration. Subsequent to the application of adhesive, the container 10 is moved to a position under the compression unit 50.

At this point, the flight chain 116 stops and the folding fingers 48 become actuated and pivot upwardly to begin the folding of the edge reinforcing member. This operation is accomplished through the actuating cam and various linkages connecting the folding fingers 48 to the operation of said cam. As soon as the folding fingers 48 have-completed their stroke and the edge reinforcing member isin position as shown in FIGURE 5, the compression unit 50 descends vertically downwardly, driven by the ram cylinder 64, and receives in its openings 52 the folding fingers 48. The inverted V segment of the reinforcing member is received in the longitudinal opening 54 in the compression unit 50. The compression unit finalizes the formation of the reinforcing member and applies the necessary compression to affect a good adhesion bond between the marginal area of the main portion 24 of the top cover panel 20, to which adhesive had been applied by the applicators 46, and section 28 of the extended portion 26 of the cover panel 20. When the necessary bond is accomplished, the compression unit 55) is lifted upwardly while the container 10, having the reinforcing member formed thereon, remains in its position under the compression unit 50 until the machine receives another container which comes to rest against the container stop thereby activating the starting switch and causing movement of the flight chain 116 whereby the container, having its reinforcing edge member formed before, is delivered by the flight chain out of the left end of the machine, as viewed in FIGURES 11 and 12, the cycle heretofore described for forming an edge reinforcing member on the cover panel of the container is thus repeated for subsequent containers.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for forming an edge reinforcing member adjacent a free edge of a hinged container cover, the cover being formed of foldable paperboard and having a main portion and an extended portion lying between the main portion and the outer edge of the cover, the extended portion including an inner section, a central section and an outer section separated from each other and from the main portion of the cover by score lines extending in a direction parallel to the hinge line of the cover, said machine comprising:

(a) conveying means for advancing the container along a predetermined path;

(b) guide means located adjacent said path for suitably positioning the extended portion of the cover;

(c) first means located adjacent said path and operative, as the container is advanced along said path, for folding said extended portion upwardly whereby the outer section thereof is positioned substantially normal to the main portion of the cover and applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion located inwardly adjacent the extended portion; ((1) second means located adjacent said path and operative, as the container is further advanced along said path, for folding said sections along their adjoining score lines whereby the inner section and the central section are formed into a substantially inverted V configuration with the outer section located in a horizontal plane overlying the marginal area of the main portion having adhesive applied thereto, and for compressively securing said outer section to said marginal area to form the reinforcing member.

2. A machine for forming an edge reinforcing member adjacent a free edge of a hinged container cover, the cover being formed of foldable paperboard and having a main portion and an extended portion lying between the main portion and the outer edge of the cover, the extended portion including an inner section, a central section and an outer section separated from each other and from the main portion of the cover by score lines extending in a direction parallel to the hinge line of the cover, said machine comprising:

(a) conveying means for advancing the container along a predetermined path;

(b) first means operative, as the container is advanced along said path, for folding said extended portion upwardly and applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion located inwardly adjacent the extended portion;

(c) second means operative, as the container is further advanced along said path, for folding said sections whereby the inner section and the central section are formed into a substantially inverted V configuration with the outer section located in a horizontal plane overlying the marginal area of the main portion having adhesive applied thereto, and for compressively securing said outer section to said marginal area to form the reinforcing member.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the first means includes a bar element operable to pre-break the score lines, a folding member operable in timed relationship with the bar element for folding at least one section of the extended portion upwardly, at least one applicator for applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion of the cover.

4. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the second means includes at least one folding finger and a compression unit operable in timed relationship therewith for forming an edge reinforcing member.

5. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the second means includes at least one folding finger, a compression unit operable in timed relationship with the folding finger and having at least one lateral opening therein for allowing the folding finger to extend therethrough.

6. A machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the folding finger extends through the opening in the compression unit for engaging the extended portion of the cover.

7. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the second means includes a plurality of folding fingers, a back-up plate and a compression unit operable in timed relationship with the folding fingers and having a plurality of lateral openings adapted to receive the folding fingers therein and to permit the fingers to extend therethrough thereby engaging the extended portion of the cover.

8. A method of forming an edge reinforcing member adjacent a free edge of a hinged container cover, the cover being formed of foldable paperboard and having a main portion and an extended portion lying between the main portion and the outer edge of the cover, the extended portion including an inner section, a central section and an outer section separated from each other and from the main portion of the cover by score lines extending in a direction parallel to the hinge line of the cover, said method including the steps of:

(a) positioning the container with said cover folded outwardly and having said extended portion in a horizontal plane;

(b) folding said extended portion upwardly along a score line separating said extended portion from said main portion of the cover and thereby positioning the outer section of extended portion substantially normal to the main portion of the cover and applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion located inwardly adjacent said extended portion;

(c) folding the sections along their respective score lines into a configuration whereby the inner section and the central section form opposite legs of an in verted V and the outer section is placed in a horizontal plane over-lying said marginal area of the main portion having adhesive applied thereto, and compressively securing said outer section to said marginal area to form said edge reinforcing member.

9. A method of forming an edge reinforcing member adjacent a free edge of a hinged container cover, the cover being formed of foldable paperboard and having a main portion and an extended portion lying between the main portion and the outer edge of the cover, the extended portion including an inner section, a central section and an outer section separated from each other and from the main portion of the cover by score lines extending in a direction parallel to the hinge line of the cover, said method including the steps of:

(a) positioning the container with said cover folded outwardly and having said extended portion in a horizontal plane;

(b) folding said extended portion upwardly and applying adhesive to the marginal area of the main portion located inwardly adjacent said extended portion;

(c) folding the sections into a configuration whereby the inner section and the central section form opposite legs of an inverted V and the outer section is placed in a horizontal plane overlying said marginal area of the main portion having adhesive applied thereto, and securing said outer section to said marginal area to form said edge reinforcing member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,167,741 '8/1939 Boh 22923 2,818,005 12/1957 Drnec 9349 BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 229-23 

